What To Do On A Perfect Day Trip To Palm Springs

See if you can relate: I figured I still had plenty of available weekends to plan a trip away with my family. Then, I checked my calendar and found that every weekend through the end of summer was booked. How did that happen?! The saving grace: one open weekend, perfect for day tripping. Day trips out of town can do wonders when you need to unplug from daily life and reconnect with the ones you care about. So, to Angelenos and San Diegans (and everyone in between), if you only have 8 hours, here’s how to spend them in Palm Springs:
See The Real Planes At The Palm Springs Air Museum

This Palm Springs treasure was recently named by CNN Travel as one of the World’s 14 Best Aviation Museums because it’s one of the few where you can actually climb inside exhibits, talk to a pilot, and take a biplane ride. For kids who have seen Disney’s new “Planes: Fire & Rescue,” they’ll find the history relatable, too, getting an up close-and-personal view of the real versions of the planes they saw in the movie.

Las Casuelas Terrazas is great for an experience unique to Palm Springs. A local favorite that’s been downtown since 1958, you’ll find an uplifting and vibrant atmosphere, good hearty Mexican cuisine, and an expertise at making kids feel as welcome as the adults who bring them.

Ruby’s Diner is a tried-and-true go-to for something familiar, especially attractive if you have younger kids or picky eaters. Like other Ruby’s Diner franchises, the vibe is fun and casual, serving up satisfying American staples like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and shakes.